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Marine biologist Cassie Boulton has no patience when a modern-day Mr. Darcy appears in her lab on Cape Cod. Proud, aloof Calder Westing III is the scion of a famous political family, while Cassie's success is hard-won in spite of a shameful family history.
When their budding romance is brutally thwarted, both by his family and by hers, Calder tries to set things right by rewriting the two of them in the roles of Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet from Pride & Prejudice...but will Cassie be willing to supply the happy ending?
The sea wall marked the beginning. Cassie had first glimpsed the ocean there while her jaded college friends told stories about their past vacations on Cape Cod. They didn't know she came from a place with asphalt seas, so she pretended the ocean was just as familiar to her. But she was captivated that very first day, tasting the briny sea air blowing in off the Sound. It cleansed her of the grime of the past.
Now, ten years later, the ocean was her life's work. She'd earned the right to watch the waves lap against the pitted stones of the sea wall. Place names like Sippewisset and Chapoquoit, which once sounded so exotic, were commonplace and comfortable now. The sea still held power, though it couldn't wash away guilt as easily as the pangs of adolescent shame. Today the ocean was only itself, changeable and rich with unseen life. She was on her own to do the work of forgetting. She felt a tug at her arm. "I'm coming," she said, her eyes straying back to the dark water. The cry of gulls echoed a horn blast as the ferry from Nantucket returned to the harbor.
Erin tapped her foot, her blonde hair streaming behind her in the salt breeze. "The music's started. You can come back here later." That was the best thing about the ocean. It was always there when Cassie wanted it. A long summer in Woods Hole stretched ahead of her, filled with time she could devote to the research she loved. She shrugged off her wistful mood and stepped carefully down to the sidewalk. "You're in a hurry to get there."
Erin didn't meet her eyes. "I promised Scott I'd be there early to help him learn the dances."
"Scott?" Trust Erin to have already found a man, even though she'd only been there a few days. "Another summer romance? You haven't mentioned him."
"I barely know him. And maybe you'll meet somebody."
Cassie laughed. "With you there? Not likely.
Besides, what would I do with a man? He'd just be inthe way of work." Men were usually too dazzled by Erin's lithe beauty to pay attention to Cassie, which suited her perfectly.
They followed the rhythmic lure of fiddle music down Water Street, past the library of the Marine Biological Laboratory. Inside the brightly lit Community Hall, the swirl of dancers chased away any serious thoughts. There were some familiar faces among the dancers-other researchers from the Marine Biological Laboratory and grad students returning for the summer. Cassie spotted one of her old lab partners across the hall and waved to her grant administrator as he danced past. Since the New England folk dances were taught on the spot, anyone could participate. The contra dances were asocial center of Woods Hole, one of the few places where scientists, townspeople, and tourists crossed paths.
Cassie danced first with a gangly young grad student from the neurophysiology lab, a newcomer to the MBL. The dance was a vigorous one, and she threw herself into it, enjoying the complex patterns and laughing at her partner's jokes about his inexperience. Erin, partnered with a good-looking man sporting a dazzled smile, moved past Cassie down the line of dancers. Despite the crowded room, Cassie chanced upon Erin again when the music ended. The windows of the historic clapboard hall were wide open, and Cassie welcomed the cool sea breeze on her arms after the energetic dance.
"Looks like you made a conquest already," Cassie teased.
"Scott? I met him at the biotech lecture yesterday." Erin's faint blush gave her away. "But he invited me to have lunch with him tomorrow. Will you come, too? I told him I was going to bring a friend along." Given some of Erin's bad experiences with men, Cassie could understand her caution. "I can come to make sure he meets my standards for your boyfriends, but I imagine I'll be a third wheel."
"Of course not. It'll be fine." Erin had a faraway look Cassie hadn't seen for some time. She hoped this time it was warranted. Erin deserved some good luck for once. Then Erin's eyes widened. "Oh, God. Is that who I think it is?" She didn't sound happy about the new development.
Cassie craned her neck to see the entranceway where a broad-shouldered man with wavy brown hair was paying the entrance fee. She didn't need to see his face to recognize him, even after three years. Her stomach tied in a knot. What was Rob doing in Woods Hole? Did he know she was there? She clenched her hand until her fingernails bit into her palm. If he knew, he wouldn't care. He hadn't even bothered to say good-bye to her when she left Chapel Hill. "Yes, that's him," she said grimly.
"Do you want to leave?"
Erin's tentative voice provided the challenge Cassie needed. She wasn't going to let Rob Elliott's presence chase her away. "No. I'm going to find a partner for the next dance." Preferably one that would make Rob think she'd never given him a second thought in the last three years.
"Good for you."
Cassie looked around quickly. Most of the dancers were already partnered for the next dance, but she spotted a tall man standing alone in the shadows by the front of the hall. She set out purposefully toward him. He didn't look like a scientist, given that his clothes matched and had the air of being recently purchased.
Even in chinos he gave off the air of being formally dressed. Not her type, but still, one dance with a tourist wouldn't kill her, and it was better than letting Rob see her being a wallflower.
As she came up to him, the man's classic good looks gave way to a certain ferocity of expression. Cassie hesitated for a moment, but Erin was watching, and she wasn't going to admit to losing her nerve. Although the man seemed oblivious to her presence, she asked, "Do you have a partner for the next dance?"
For a moment he said nothing, and had Cassie been more timid, she would have been cowed by the look he gave her. "I'm not planning to dance, thank you." His lips barely moved when he spoke.
anonymous13PA
Posted December 28, 2010
I enjoyed parts of this book. HOwever, it seemed that the characters spent as much time in bed as out of it. Also, Pemberly by the SEa is the same book. I have found that several of the Pemberly Variations by Abigail Reynolds are published under two titles. Not quite sure I understand the purpose of that. Anyway, the actual plot related events were okay, although not fantastic.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.LizzyLE
Posted May 9, 2010
I Also Recommend:
For anyone who can't get enough of Pride and Prejudice, "The Man Who Loved Pride and Prejudice" is a delightful modern adaptation using the plot and characters from Austen's most beloved novel.
Originally self-published under the name "Pemberley by the Sea," this book has been picked up by a publisher and renamed, so be careful when ordering in case you've already read it. It would be nice if Barnes & Noble was more forthcoming about this so as to avoid reader frustration.
As with everything from Abigail Reynolds' pen, this story will captivate you from start to finish and leave you wanting more. It's a delightful romance, and well-worth adding to your Pride & Prejudice library.
I have been reading Pride &Prejudice adaptations ever since the 1995 A&E production came out, and when I finally came upon Abigail Reynolds' amazing collection of stories, it was like hitting pay dirt. Her stories are so filled with the most romantic tension and witty dialog, I had to own every one. There are a lot of P&P adaptations out there, some only mediocre, some quite good, but none compare to these. Check them all out for some very satisfying reading!
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Just mention Pride and Prejudice, be is sequel, re-make or something else and I want to have a go at it. This one I liked and it had me at the "ball" where they meet. She asks him to dance and he says no, and then she leaves with a sense of having been judged and found wanting. She got me there.
It is the story about marine biologist Cassie who every summer comes to the cape to study the sea life and sit in her lab. This year she has her friend Erin with her and Erin meets a nice guy, Scott and dances away with him. While Cassie meets a reserved man who doesn't seem to want to be where he is. It is dislike at once, but there is also something else there, a passion that takes hold of them, but Cassie walks away because a poor Elizabeth with secrets does not get her Mr Darcy.
There is a lot of passion between these two when they finally get together, even if it is for a short time. Then the book takes a turn and they go their separate ways, but he wants to win her back and he has already called her Elizabeth Bennet. And I went awww, a guy who re-writes P&P to put them in it! So where can I meet him. He is like Mr Darcy, all hidden feelings and never saying the things he may want too. But then there is that other side to him, that gentle and caring side that we do not get to see at first. When it comes out I get happy.
There was some negative aspects though, it felt at times like the book was finished, but then it picked up another thread. I mean I do not mind cos more to read, and that is never wrong, but the passages felt new when you thought the end was near (well not that near cos I could still see the pages.) But at least the resolved everything, and I haev to give her credit for that because I like endings where I know it all.
This was a sweet book, a nice re-telling of an old story. Some characters where in it, others not. It was her own version but you could still recognize some important things, but never so much that it felt like just another re-telling. Now it was her own story, with PP inspiration,and that worked great. What was left was a rich guy meets a nice so rich girl, and his family disapproves. And then there is Bingley and Jane.
I liked Calder, I liked Cassie, I enjoyed their love story, and sweet romance.
One thing left me thinking though, how much Abigail Reynolds knows about marine biology? Cos she was not afraid to go in to that lab and explain things. And to choose a subject like that, perhaps she has studied it.
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted August 27, 2012
I bought this book on a whim, never really heard of the author at all or know of anything else she has written. I couldnt put this book down, beautifully written and moving
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.lizziebeth
Posted July 18, 2010
This book is Pemberley by the Sea under a new title and a lower price. This book was horrible. Hated the politics she brought to the story. Big disappointent. However, the price is better than Pemberley by the Sea.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.kyd123
Posted February 15, 2013
I can usually read anything....this book was just stupid. The political understory is sobviously slanted. Really don't bothet.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted December 23, 2012
Bought it randomly but really enjoyed it.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted October 4, 2012
Big disappointment. Skipped alot of pages towards end. Not like pride and predjudice at all.
Anonymous
Posted August 29, 2012
Even though it was a "play" on Pride & Predudice I enjoyed it. It was modern with a few different aspects. Great love story.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted May 28, 2012
Another great read by Abigail Reynolds. I highly recommend this book.
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Posted May 28, 2012
I really loved this book. The modern take on this classic lovers tale was refreshing. I read it twice. I wish the second I this series "Morning Light" was on nook!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.This was another great Pride & Prejudice book by Abigail Reynolds. This modern retelling of Pride & Prejudice is filled with great characters and keeps the reader captivated by the story from start to finish.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Author Abigail Reynolds is a physician, having her own part time private practice, and is also a long time Jane Austen fan. She studied Russian, theatre, and marine biology before going to medical school. Fellow Austen fans encouraged her writing, which led to four other Pemberley Variations. Other titles include: To Conquer Mr. Darcy, From Lambton to Longbourn, By Force of Instinct, Impulse & Initiative, Without Reserve, and Pemberley by the Sea. Originally from New York, she now resides in Wisconsin with her husband, two teenagers, and a menagerie of pets.
Marine Biologist Cassie Boulton's favorite book may be Pride & Prejudice, but she wasn't seeking her very own Mr. Darcy. In fact, she has been hiding behind the veneer of scientific accomplishments, determined to hide the painful secrets of her past. But when Calder Westing III shows up at her lab, she finds herself as frustrated as she is intrigued. Silent and aloof, Cassie discovers there's more to Calder than meets the eye, and after sharing a passionate night by the sea, they can't seem to get enough of each other. But when the past threatens to come between them, Calder must write his very own retelling of the famous Jane Austen story, complete with their very own happy ending.
In all honesty, poor Jane Austen's work has been beaten and retold to death. I often wonder what she would think of all this attention. Very few books and movies have persuaded me otherwise. This happens to be one of them. I encourage readers who are biased like myself to look past this to the great story Abigail Reynolds portrays. This book is in no way a retelling of Pride & Prejudice, but rather uses a similar storyline and conflict that continues to draw Austen's fans.
With vivid imagery, the setting draws you in from the start, then continuing on with fascinating and relatable characters, you will find yourself crying, laughing, and gritting your teeth in aggravation. Readers will learn a lot about marine biology without having it shoved down their throat. Most of all, and true to Austen and Reynolds charm, the conflict and roadblocks for the hero and heroine force readers glued to each page, dying to know what happens next. My only real complaint for the book was I found Cassie's deep secret to be a bit weak. Didn't deter me from reading, though! A highly recommended read!
Kelly Moran,
Author and Reviewer
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Posted May 31, 2010
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Posted March 23, 2012
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Overview
Marine biologist Cassie Boulton has no patience when a modern-day Mr. Darcy appears in her lab on Cape Cod. Proud, aloof Calder Westing III is the scion of a famous political family, while Cassie's success is hard-won in spite of a shameful family history.
When their budding romance is brutally thwarted, both by his family and by hers, Calder tries to set things right by rewriting the two of them...